Gender factor in Turkey’s migration regime: A case of Ugandan migrant women

Gender factor in Turkey’s migration regime: A case of Ugandan migrant women Previous research shows that gender is a central organising principle in migration processes. Gendered migration has also become visible in Turkey initially with the migration from ex-Eastern Bloc countries and later in new migration flows from diverse countries. Recently, migrant women from Sub-Saharan African countries create a good example of new gendered migration flows in Turkey. Therefore this article focuses on one of the most visible Sub-Saharan African women’s groups, Ugandan migrant women’s migration experiences in Turkey. Based on an empirical research project, this article argues that Ugandan migrant women’s experiences, both before and after migration, are highly sensitive to their gendered roles. Ugandan migrant women are in a fragile position in Turkey’s migration regime especially as a result of their undocumented position and the pressure of sending money back home. Indeed, being employed in gendered segments of labour market, Ugandan migrant women often face labour exploitation, discrimination, racism and sexual harassment. When these difficulties are combined with the pressure from home and paying the debt, some Ugandan women are pushed to sell sex.